By JKNewsMedia
PASSAGE OF a bill seeking to reform Nigeria’s tax on Sugar Sweetened Beverages has drawn commendation from Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), which described the move as a bold and timely step toward safeguarding public health.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that a statement signed by Robert Egbe, Media and Communications Officer, CAPPA, said the bill proposes replacing the current N10 per litre excise duty with a percentage-based levy tied to retail price while earmarking a portion of the revenue for health promotion and disease prevention.
The organisation said the proposal represents a significant shift toward evidence based fiscal policy and commended the sponsor of the bill, Senator Ipalibo Banigo, for her leadership and commitment to advancing policies that prioritise the health and well-being of Nigerians.
“This is a commendable and courageous move by the Senate,” CAPPA Executive Director Akinbode Oluwafemi said in a statement issued on Wednesday.
“By passing this bill, the Senate has demonstrated responsiveness to the growing public health crisis facing the country. We now urge the National Assembly to expedite the remaining legislative processes to ensure that the reviewed bill becomes law without delay.”
CAPPA also highlighted Banigo’s role in advancing public health legislation, citing the successful passage of the National Health Act Amendment Bill in April 2026, which increased the fund source from 1 percent to 2 percent of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund from the consolidated revenue funds.
The organisation said earmarking revenue from the Sugar Sweetened Beverages (SSB) tax would strengthen resources available to government for improving national health outcomes.
It stressed the urgency of the bill, pointing to what it described as Nigeria’s rapidly escalating burden of non-communicable diseases, including Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, obesity and dental conditions.
Referencing public health data, CAPPA said nearly one in three deaths in Nigeria is linked to non-communicable diseases, while more than 11 million Nigerians are living with diabetes.
The organisation maintained that excessive consumption of sugar sweetened beverages, which it said are aggressively marketed and widely consumed particularly among young people, is a major driver of the crisis.
CAPPA argued that the existing N10 per litre Sugar Sweetened Beverages tax introduced under the Finance Act has proven too low to influence consumption patterns or deliver meaningful health outcomes.
It said a move to a price-based tax system aligns with recommendations that effective health taxes should significantly raise retail prices to reduce consumption.
“Fixed rate taxes like Nigeria’s current system are easily absorbed by manufacturers and rendered ineffective by inflation,” CAPPA stated.
“A percentage-based levy ensures that the tax remains impactful over time, discourages excessive sugar intake, and better protects public health.”
The organisation also welcomed the bill’s provision to dedicate part of the revenue to health promotion, describing it as a critical mechanism for strengthening the health sector, supporting preventive care and expanding access to essential health services.
While applauding the Senate’s progress, CAPPA said transparency and accountability should guide the management of earmarked funds, with clear reporting and public oversight.
The organisation called on the House of Representatives to act swiftly in concurring with the Senate and transmitting the bill for presidential assent.
“Nigeria cannot afford to delay,” Akinbode said.
“We are in the midst of a preventable public health crisis driven by unhealthy diets and weak regulatory frameworks. Strengthening the SSB tax is not just a fiscal measure, it is a life saving intervention.”
CAPPA reiterated that a stronger Sugar Sweetened Beverages tax regime combined with dedicated funding for health initiatives offers a sustainable pathway to reduce disease burden, save lives and secure the health of future generations.
“Lawmakers have taken an important step. Now they must finish the job,” the statement concluded.
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